Finding Inspiration

The smell of the ocean crested my nose as I slowly felt myself slowly awaken. I didn't feel an ounce of tiredness as I flexed my toes in the soft white sand underneath my barren feet. The sky above me was the brightest of blues, reflecting the ocean that sat beside me. Gentle waves lapped the shore, kicking up sea foam. I felt warm, and for the first time in a long time, I felt happy. It was like I was reliving an old memory. But I was alone on this shore, only surrounded by white sands and a few palm trees here and there.

I could feel my muscles relax to the point where I didn't even want to sit up, I just wanted the sun to shine down on my white pearly skin and soak up the calm aura around me. I inhaled deeply, letting the sea smell bring my body further into relaxation. I had formed into a limp body, my mind only feeling peace as I continued to enjoy the beach, or island. There wasn't even a single bird in the sky. Just the yellow sun, and the beautiful sky.

"I see you are enjoying yourself." Damien's words stirred me from my relaxing meditation, making me grunt in annoyance. How dare he disturb my peace and quiet.

"I was until you poked your head in. Can't a girl relax in peace?" I muttered pulling myself to sit up. I casually glanced down at my body, checking out the attire I was wearing. It was a two-peace white bikini with a very thin cardigan. Two pieces weren't generally my style, but I also know that this is a dream because when do I have time to vacation?

"Well, I mean we are sitting outside of your house. I figured maybe you would want to continue this in your own home?" Damien's words brought me out of my dream, and back to reality. We sat idly outside my house, the inside dark and eerie. I could feel a part of me, begging me not to enter. I knew that the only thing waiting for me, was the silence of my own home. Granted Leo was a big help when it came to alleviating some of the lonesomeness I felt, but he could never fill the void completely.

"Sorry and thank you for bringing me home. I'll have to nag Aaron tomorrow to bring me car shopping." I said sheepishly as I pulled the handle to open the door. Before I could open it completely, he gently grabbed my shoulder, stopping me. Confused, I turned around and stared at him.

"Let me take you tomorrow after the shoot. There is a place in town that I deal with and can offer you a good deal." He spoke gently, his eyes matched his tone, and I was taken aback. Normally when he posed on billboards or in photos, he always seemed cold and distant. But right now, he was actually being nice, something I never expected from him.

"I don't want to trouble you with something so tedious. Besides, I am really picky about my vehicle." I countered, because in all reality, I still wasn't one hundred percent sure on his motives. He was partnered up with Illia and Lilah, our biggest competitor. I don't know him well enough to say that he didn't have some evil intentions.

"Nonsense. It wouldn't be any trouble at all. I insist." A smile crept on to his face, basically telling me I didn't have a choice in the matter. I could feel my patience running thin, so I just gave a small nod once before attempting once again to leave his car. He released my shoulder and let me go, but it almost felt reluctant. Almost as reluctant as I was with wanting to enter my own home. With a tight smile, I closed the door and waved at him, hoping he would leave as quickly as possible.

As I walked up the porch steps, the lights from his car slowly pulled away, and the crunching of snow could be heard as he drove down the driveway. With a long and deep sigh, I unlocked the door and walked in to my house. Just like always, I was greeted with silence. It made my chest ache and tightened as I stood their in the entry way, trying to dig up the nerve to walk in. A loud meow could be heard in the darkness, and I turned on the light.

Leo slunk from the direction of my bedroom, casually making his way over to me. Just as he reached my feet, he stretched out his body and yawned. He must have woken up from his nap. With a loud purr, he brushed up against my legs, quietly meowing for attention. Feeling the ache in my chest slowly fade away, I pulled off my shoes before bending over and cradling the cat in my hands.

The warmth of his body seeped through my coat, making me shiver from the cold air that had graced my skin. It was amazing how something so small, could make a horrible feeling leave so quickly. I know it was because animals were able to release endorphins to the human brain, but this was really the first time since I was a kid, that I had a companion. I was so very lucky that this cat was as loveable as he was, and so gentle as well. It was like fate had made us come together, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Feeling inspired by my feline companion, I decided to take this moment of joy, and turn it into music. I was always really good at expressing myself with emotions when I was feeling them. Since my parents died, I hadn't been able to really concentrate on anything other than my own grief and misery. Even after that, I couldn't do anything other than feel the pain of being rejected by many other parents, so I never could truly find my rhythm again. I bought my piano because it just felt so empty without it.

I walked up the steps to my balcony and set the cat down on the closed lid of the piano. As I sat down, I gently tapped on the keys, warming my fingers up and getting a feel of the notes. Leo watched quietly, observing me as I found my way around the keyboard. The gentle and light sounds of the high notes filled the quiet air of my home, filling in the empty space. Soon, I felt like I was back on the beach again, the gentle wind in my hair as I played.

I couldn't help but smile as closed my eyes and felt myself get taken away by my own notes. I just wish I had someone other than Leo to listen. I want to enjoy these moments with someone other than a cat. The problem was and always will be, I could never pull myself from my work. I was too invested in my job to even think about taking more time off. So, I would always be enslaved to designing clothes until the very day I died. How an unfortunate, and tragic feeling.